Can I use Steller Floors over subfloor heat?
Subfloor heating is a popular option for homeowners looking to keep their floors warm and cozy during the colder months. Whether you reside in a region with frigid winters or have a concrete subfloor, subfloor heat is a great investment.
If you're considering installing subfloor heat, Steller Floors are an excellent option. These floors are made of solid hardwood and use plastic clips to float over the subfloor, making them an attractive option for subfloor heating.
One of the significant benefits of Steller Floors is that they are compatible with various types of subfloor heating including hydronic (e.g. Warmboard), polymeric (e.g. QuietWarmth) and coils housed in concrete.
That said, it is important to ensure that your floors and heating system are safe. The National Wood Flooring Association standards recommend limiting the temperature under the floor planks to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (NWFA). Higher temperatures both initiate sweating in humans and can cause wood to react and change shape, leading to damage to both traditional hardwood floors and Steller Floors.
Avoid Exposed Electric Coil Heat
When choosing subfloor heat options, it's essential to avoid exposed electric coil sheets or mats. These mats are designed for tile and embedding the coils in concrete, and should not be placed directly against wood floor panels due to the risk of fire.
Instead, consider polymeric subfloor heat, a plastic mat screen printed with carbon that is limited to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These types of subfloor heat are relatively economical and available at big-box stores and online. Here's a video of our CEO's house with the sheets installed:
It's also generally important to ensure that your Steller Floor is adequately supported by the subfloor. Steller Floors are floating and are not designed to be structural. Therefore, prefabricated hydronic heat panels (including Warmboard or similar DIY versions) are useful because they ensure that the wood planks are supported. If you are hanging hydronic heat from the subfloor supports, you will still need OSB or plywood to support your Steller Floor planks.
Summary: Subfloor heat is an excellent complement to central air heating in any interior space. As long as the heat underneath the floor is limited to 80 degrees F (industry standard) and the subfloor supports your wood flooring planks, Steller Floors and subfloor heat are a perfect combination.
Reach out for Steller Support!
We can help you troubleshoot over the phone, by email, or by video appointment from our studio! 1-800-955-7671 or support@floorsbysteller.com
